How does a shekere work?

How does a shekere work?

The shekere is a West African percussion instrument consisting of a dried gourd with a woven netting of beads covering the gourd. The instrument is played by slapping the bottom of the gourd and by shaking and twisting the netting in rhythmic patterns.

What is gourd rattle?

In many societies, rattles are associated with the supernatural and accompany religious rites. Gourd rattles known from their use in popular Latin American dance bands are the cabaça (Portuguese for “calabash”), a gourd enclosed in a beaded mesh, and maracas.

What is a gourd used for in Africa?

Spoons and ladles made from gourds are used for scooping water, milk or beer from one container into another. They were also used as spoons for eating and drinking. During the 19th century, people living in the Zulu kingdom close to the king’s home, thanked him after the annual harvest by presenting him with beer.

What is the most distinct features of shekere?

The most distinctive aspect of the shekere, however, is perhaps the beaded “skirt” that is woven around the instrument. The beads (sometimes, even seeds or shells are used) scratch against the surface of the gourd as it is played, creating yet another layer of percussive sound that naturally enhances the groove.

What is the difference between a shaker and a rattle?

As nouns the difference between shaking and rattle is that shaking is a movement that shakes while rattle is (onomatopoeia) a sound made by loose objects shaking or vibrating against one another.

How do rattles produce sound?

When you shake the rattle, the metal discs bang against each other and the materials of the instrument vibrate to make sound.

How do you make gourd maraca?

  1. Soak the dry gourd for 24 hours.
  2. Using an Awl…. punch a hole in the gourd.
  3. Shake out seeds.
  4. Drop in pebbles.
  5. Glue paper over the hole. For Round Gourds.
  6. Punch holes in both ends. (Parental Supervision) Shake out the seeds.
  7. Put stones in the gourd. Insert stick.
  8. Paint bright designs with acrylics or tempera paints.

How do you make a gourd into a shaker?

Cut a hole in the bottom of your gourd. Using a keyhole saw, cut a circular hole approximately ½ inch in diameter from the bottom. Fill the gourd with hot water and let it soak for 20 to 30 minutes. Drain the water from your gourd.

What is a gourd shekere made of?

Gourd shekere from Africa with seeds in the net. The shekere (from Yoruba Ṣẹ́kẹrẹ) is a West African percussion instrument consisting of a dried gourd with beads or cowries woven into a net covering the gourd.

What is a gourd shaker?

This gourd shaker is traditionally known as the axatse (ah-HOT-say) in Ghana, and is also known more generically as the shekere (SHEH-kuh-ray).

What kind of instrument is a shekere?

Shekere. The shekere (from Yoruba Ṣẹ́kẹrẹ) is a West African percussion instrument consisting of a dried gourd with beads or cowries woven into a net covering the gourd. The instrument is common in West African and Latin American folkloric traditions as well as some of the popular music styles.

How do you play A shekere?

In performance it is shaken and/or hit against the hands. The shekere is made from vine gourds that grow on the ground. The shape of the gourd determines the sound of the instrument. A shekere is made by drying the gourd for several months then removing the pulp and seeds.